Operator, get me Pennsylvania 65000...

[Brad Bowers]

How many of you have vintage phones? Have you tried restoring them?

I've been doing some research into vintage phones, as I'd like to get one (operating) for my desk. A candlestick phone would be neat, but might get old to talk on for a long period of time. I think I've decided on a Western Electric 302, as they are more numerous and therefore less expensive, not to mention a very classic design. I've even thought of buying one to restore.

Give me the sound of a mechanical ringer over an electronic one any day!

Brad Bowers

 

[Matt Deckard]

I would like to get a nice 30's or 40's phone.

I think in 5 years the kids of today won't know what an mechanical ringer sounds like and will run thinking it's a fire alarm.

 

[MK]

You can see mine on the main page of The Golden Era . It is a North Electric Galion. I replaced the cords with cloth cords from a company that makes replacement parts for old phones. It does work very well.

I use it as my "Bat Phone" for special phone conversations that I want to make sure my employees are not listening to.

This site has a lot of great phones.....but at top dollar:
http://www.chicagooldtelephone.com/

Here is the site that has parts at great prices too:

http://www.phonecoinc.com/

 

[Sergei]

Wow, there are plenty on ebay. And just do a google search using, "302" "western electric" "phone". Plenty of hits.

-S

 

[Brad Bowers]

Been watching ebay. Haven't had any luck winning vintage hats yet, maybe I'll have better luck with a phone.

Thanks for the parts link, MK.

Kids today have no idea how rotary dials work. I was at a cookout for our local railroad museum in the summer of 2002. We held it at a member's house, and they still have a wall-mount rotary dial phone, same as I had growing up. One of the teenagers asked to use the phone, and they sent him into the kitchen. He came out after ten seconds, and sheepishly asked for instructions on how to use it! LOL

Brad Bowers

 

[Minnesota_Jones]

I've got a modern repro of one of those "Candlestick" phones. It's nice. Also have some great repro/mod stuff from The Spirit of St Louis Collection. Just pop that into eBay and you'll see retro Aero styles of phones - "boomboxes" - clocks, etc. I have their boombox and a Aero style clock for the Library/Computer/Indy room.

 

[havershaw]

Those phones are great! Another expensive old thing I could probably live without - but don't want to.

I have one of those Spirit of St. Louis boomboxes too. They're pretty neat. I never looked into the other stuff in that line - thanks for the tip!

 

[Brad Bowers]

Crosley Radio makes nifty retro radios, stereo systems, and phones. It's their repro of the WE 302 that got me thinking about a vintage phone. I've seen them on sale for around $50, but for another $50 or so I could have a real rotary dial vintage phone. The new ones also do not specify whether or not they have a mechanical ringer.

Their website: Crosley Radio

Brad Bowers

 

[MK]

Of the retro phones, I like the "Casablanca" phone. It is like a model 202. I have one on my nightstand at home. You can pay as much as $50 for one......but this place has them for $21.

http://www.ezcor.com/ezcor/product_info.php/products_id/1385[/URL

 

[Brad Bowers]

MK,

That's a pretty good price. Does the "Casablanca" have a mechanical ringer?

Brad Bowers

 

[MK]

The ringer?......I don't recall. I believe it is. There is no dial. It only looks that way. Those are push buttons. I switched the cheap black plastic modern phone cord for a cloth one, which makes it look much better. Unfortunately I couldn't do the same with the receiver cord without a lot of hassle.

 

[Imahomer]

I've got a couple. My favorite is an old oak, wall phone that is 100% original. Just a beauty. I thought about having it converted so I could use it, but passed on that idea after a micro second.

I do have a nice restored 30's desk phone that is a gem. I didn't want to have to jump through hoops to do it myself, so I got it off Ebay from someone who restores them and I'm very happy with it.

 

[ITG]

My dad has a vintage phone that he has up in his attic...not sure of which decade, but as soon as it's in my hands I'll snap some pics and maybe someone here can I.D. it.

 

[Cliffhanger]

Neat thread!

I have one of the repros. It's called "Metropolis"...$21 at Sears. Mechanical ringer. I have seen actualy restored phones from the 40s in antique stores, but I'd rather pay for a nicely done modern reproduction.

Imahomer, any chance of pics of your wooden wall phone? I love those, and I'm glad you kept in original condition.

Where does one get a cloth cord? The only thing I don't like about the repro is the plastic curly cord.

Peace,
Cliffhanger

 

[MK]

You can get the cords at the links I posted above.

 

[Cliffhanger]

Thanks MK.

Here is a link to the phone I have. A little on the cheap side, but it works fine, has a mechanical ringer, and looks nice.

http://www.conairphone.com/Pages/decorator_pages/SW2504.html

Peace,
Cliffhanger